Panel structure and frame member therefor



Jan. 3, 1967 J. B. GRIFFITH ETAL 3,

PANEL STRUCTURE AND FRAME MEMBER THEREFOR Filed Dec. 24, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 1 54 5e 6 50 44 I 761 .Z. 4 W6 T r q a 6d /0d,\ 5

Z6 Z4 /5 we INVENTORS Z4 J0/-//V 5. QQFF/Tq 1967 J. B. GRIFFITH ETAL3,295,283

PANEL STRUCTURE AND FRAME MEMBER THEREFOR Filed Dec. 24, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet a ""20 will H 3 Hin1..M' HIHW 48 f INVENTORS JOHN S.GQ/F'F/TH CL EME/V? 6: 'E/FF/TH 5V /Mw1 54 m J. B. GRIFFITH ETAL PANELSTRUCTURE AND FRAME MEMBER THEREFOR Filed Dec. 24, 195

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 75 j LA --76 70 7/ INVENTORS JOHN B. awe/A777CLEME/W'C. G-E/FF/TH M df/W United States Patent 3,295,283 PANELSTRUCTURE AND FRAME MEMBER THEREFDR John B. Griffith, 213 La CadenaDrive, and Clement C.

Griffith, 1279 La Cadena Drive, both of Riverside,

Calif. 92501 Filed Dec. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 333,699 7 Claims. (Cl. 52475)The present invention relates generally to panel structures, and moreparticularly to a post member of novel configuration which can be usedin conjunction with rectangular panels of plywood, plastic, framedinsect screening, and the like, to construct curtain walls orpartitions, screened patios, room enclosures, wind screens, pool fences,room dividers, and various other structures.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a partition, or wall,consisting primarily of post members and prefinished fiat panels, whichcan be erected quickly on the job with a minimum of disturbance, andwhich results in a finished partition or wall that is attractive inappearance, extremely strong and rigid, and of relatively low costcompared to comparable structures of conventional construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extremely versatilemetal post member that can be joined together with other like members ina variety of different ways, using only sheet metal screws and a minimumof connecting brackets or fittings, thereby forming a structuralframework to which rectangular panels of plywood, plastic, chipboard,etc., may be attached to complete a wall or partition of great strengthand rigidity. These same post members may also be joined together toform an open framework into which frames of insect screening may beinserted for the purpose of making a screened patio enclosure, or intowhich other frames of transparent or translucent plastic or glass may beinserted to form a windbreak for exposed patios or swimming pools.

Because of the ease and speed with which the structural post member ofthe present invention and prefinished panels of plywood or the like maybe pre-cut at the shop and then assembled on the job with a minimum ofnoise and distraction, and the versatility of the construction methodinvolved, the invention lends itself particularly well to making privacypartitions or dividing walls for office buildings, where theconstruction work must be accomplished quickly and with a minimum ofdisturbance.

Another object of the invention i to provide a panel structure of theclass described which can he disassembled and reassembled, withoutdamage to the component parts thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide wall or partitionconstruction embodying post members of novel configuration and using,alternatively, either a single flat panel mounted centrally between thesides of the post members, or spaced-apart, double panels mounted on thepost members adjacent the side edges thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structural post memberof the class described which i adapted to be assembled with other likemembers to form a framework into which rectangular panels of plywood orthe like are inserted to form a wall or partition, and which is alsoadapted to receive a snap-on cover plate that covers the exposed side ofthe post member and the adjacent edge of the panel, including the headsof any screws used to attach the edge of the panel to the post member.

, Still another object of the invention is to provide a structural postmember which is extremely strong in compression and torsion, and whencombined with panels of plywood or the like, produces a completed wallor partition of great strength and rigidity.

Patented Jan. 3, I967 These and other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of a buildingstructure, showing various ways in which the structural post member ofthe invention can be used with one or two panels of different types ofmaterials, to make walls or partitions for various purposes;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken at 22 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a de tail, showing how onestructural post member can be brought in at right angles to anothersimilar member, and attached thereto by screws;

FIGURE 4- is a sectional view taken at 4-4 in FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view through one of the structural postmembers of the invention, showing how it may be used with both an insectscreen and storm window;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view, showing a vertical post connectedinto a horizontal base member formed by ripping one of the structuralposts of the invention lengthwise;

FIGURE 7 is a partially cut-away elevational view of a mitered corner,showing how the members may be joined together by means of an anglebracket;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing a post of theinvention connected to the floor by a special bracket member, which fitsinto the central groove on one side of the post;

FIGURE 9 is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the bracketshown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an exploded fragmentary view, showing one form of connectorwhich is used to join two post members together, where one of themembers abuts perpendicularly against the other; 1

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view, showing the parts joined together;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view, taken at l212 in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of the connector shown in FIGURES 10, 11and 12; and

FIGURE 14 is a side elevation of the same.

In the drawings, the preferred structural post member of the presentinvention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral It).The member 10 is seen as generally square in overall cross-sectionalconfiguration, and is a relatively thin-walled metal tube, preferably ofhigh strength extruded aluminum alloy. Formed on each side of the squaretube are two outwardly projecting, flatsided, parallel ridges 11,extending lengthwise of the memher. The ridges Ill are spaced apartlaterally from one another, and between them, each pair of ridgesdefines a channel 12 having parallel flat sides. At the four corners ofthe member 10, the outer sides of the adjoining ridges 11 meet at rightangles to one another, thereby defining a rabbet groove 13.

The post member 1d, ridges Ill, channel 12 and rabbet grooves 13 mayhave any desired dimensions to suit the conditions of use, but by way ofillustration, the post member may be two inches across on each side,with the ridges 11 approximately one-half inch across on the outside,and three-ei-ghths inch high. The rabbet grooves 13 on the four cornersof the post member are three-eighths inch on each side, and the centerchannel 12 is one-quarter inch across. A wall thickness of .064" hasbeen found to be about optimum, and one aluminum alloy that has beenfound to be excellent for this service is known as 6063-T6.

The structural post member is intended to be joined together with otherlike members to form a structural framework into which rectangularpanels of quarter-inch thick plywood, chipboard, plastic, framed insectscreening, or the like, are inserted. FIGURE 1 shows three typical panelinstallations, by way of illustration. The section of wall extendingfrom the center of the drawing toward the left-hand side thereof, anddesignated A, shows a single panel construction, in which a rectangularpanel of plywood or the like is mounted in the framework of post members10. The four edges of the panel 15 are seated in the inwardly facingchannels 12 of the post members 10 which define the surrounding frametherefor. The edges of the panel 15 may be loose in the channel 12, orthey may be bonded to the channel by means of a suitable cement, such asepoxy cement. The panel 15 is preferably finished in any desired manneron both sides, or it may be faced with sheet metal or plastic to make itdurable and resistant to exposure.

In panel A, the bottom member 10 has vertical members 10a and 10/)extending perpendicularly upward therefrom at spaced intervals. Themembers Mia and MI) are joined to the top side of the member 1t and forthis purpose, the bottom ends of the members 10a, 10!) are cut offsquare and then recessed transversely at 16, as best shown in FIGURES 3and 4, leaving two projecting ridge end portions 18 on each of the twoopposite sides of the members 10a, 10b. The recess 16 is cut to the samedepth as the height of the ridges 11, so that when the ends of themembers 19a, 1% are pushed down onto the top side of the member 10, theprojecting ridge end portions 18 seat in the rabbet grooves 13 onopposite sides of the top of member 10. The projecting ridge endportions 18 and the underlying ridges 11 of member 10 are then drilledto provide pilot holes, and sheet metal screws 20 are screwed throughthe assembled parts, as shown in FIG- URE 4. It will be noted that thescrews 20 go through both side walls of the ridge 11 underlying each ofthe ridge end portions 18. This stabilizes the screws 18, and greatlystrengthens the joint. The transverse recess 16 may be cut into the endof the post member 10 by using a metal cutting saw which is first passedthrough the end of the member 10 in two laterally spaced cuts parallelto the longitudinal axis of the member, so as to form the sides of therecess 16, and then is lowered transversely into the sides of the member10a on each side, so as to cut out the two ridges 11 and the bottom ofthe channel 12 lying between the two end cuts. Alternatively, the endsof the members 10a, 10b may be cut off square, and connectors such asthose shown in FIGURES l014 may be used, the said connectors beingdescribed more fully hereinafter.

Panel B of FIGURE 1 shows a two-panel construction, in which twolaterally spaced panels 15a of plywood or the like are attached to thepost members 10b and 10d on opposite sides thereof. As best shown inFIGURE 2, the edges of the panels 15a are seated in the rabbet grooves13 and are secured therein by means of sheet metal screws 22. The screws22 are screwed through pilot holes drilled in the edge of the plywood15a and in the sides of the underlying ridge 11. The screws may passthrough both sides of the ridge 11, as in FIGURE 2, or through only oneside thereof if desired.

The rough edges of panels 15a and exposed heads of the screws 22 arepreferably covered by a snap-0n cover plate 24, as shown in FIGURES 1and 2. The cover plate 24 is an elongated, generally flat strip ofmetal, the outer face of which may be fluted slightly for ornamentaleffect. Projecting rearwardly from the strip 24 along both edges thereofare lip flanges 26, which bear against the outer surface of the panel15a.

Also projecting rearwardly from the back of the strip 24 down themidpoint thereof are two diverging flanges 28, the outer edges of whichare tapered slightly, or rounded off, so as to facilitate insertion intothe channel 12. The flanges 28 are originally spread apart so that-theyare 4 slightly wider than the channel 12 and must be sprung togetherslightly in order to be inserted into the channel. The amount of inwardspring of the flanges 28 is relatively slight, and well within theelastic limit of the metal, so that the flanges exert a firm spring gripon the sides of the channel 12.

As can be seen from the drawing, the cover strip 24 gives the panel B aneat, finished appearance, and adds greatly to the ornamental effect.The cover strips 24 are preferably made of extruded aluminum alloy, andmay be anodized. The panels 15a are preferably finished only on theouter surfaces, and the space between the two panels may be filled withinsulating or sound-absorbing material, if desired.

Panel C of FIGURE 1 shows an open framework of members 16, 10b and NC,with a framed panel 30 of insect screen mounted in the outer rabbetgroove 13. FIG- URE 5 also shows a panel 30 of insect screen mounted inthe rabbet groove 13 on the side of the member 10e, with a framed panel32 of transparent plastic similarly mounted on the other side of themember 10 as a storm window. In both cases, the frame is made ofthin-walled metal strips 34, preferably of extruded aluminum, having abox-like cross-sectional shape, with an outer flange 36 projectinglaterally from one edge thereof, and an inner channel 38 formed alongthe outer edge of the strip. The strips 34 are assembled into arectangular frame, and insect screening 40 or transparent plastic sheet42 is then attached to the frame by means of rubber splines 44. Theedges of the screening 46 or plastic sheet 42 are folded down into thechannels 38, and the rubber splines 44 are then pressed tightly downinto the channels on top of the edge of the material 40, 42. The rubberspline 44 is initially of round cross section, and its diameter isslightly greater than the width of the channel 38, so that when thespline is installed in the channel, it is compressed between the sidesthereof and holds the material 40, 42 tightly in place. The framedpanels 30, 32 may be held in place on the members 10 by suitableholders, of which there are many on the market, or they may be more orless permanently installed by passing sheet metal screws through pilotholes in the flanges 36 and underlying ridges 11.

FIGURE 6 shows an alternative arrangement for the bottom edge of apanel, where it rests on the floor. In this case, one of the members 10has been ripped on a metal cutting saw, so that slightly less than halfof the original member is left. The ripped member 10f is cut so that theinner side walls of the ridges 11 form a base surface 46 that lies fiatagainst the floor F. The member 10f may be secured to the floor F byscrews (not shown) if desired.

FIGURE 7 shows a mitered corner of framework, wherein two members 10gand 10h having mitered ends 48 are joined together and held by an anglebracket 50. One arm of the angle bracket 50 is inserted into theinterior of one of the members 10g, 10h and secured by a screw 52. Theother member is then placed over the other arm of the angle bracket 50,and the mitered surfaces 48, 48 are matched together. The other screw 52is then driven, which secures the two members together. This type ofjoint is used wherever a corner of the framework must be exposed.

FIGURES 8 and 9 are two views showing how the bot-- tom end of avertical post member ltlj may be secured directly to the floor F. Forthis purpose, a right-angle bracket 52 is provided, which has a flatbase portion 54 and an upstanding post 56. The post 56 has parallel fiatsides which fit snugly between the sides of the channel 12 in member 10and there are two vertically spaced, countersunk screw holes 58 providedtherein, through which screws 60 are passed to secure the post 56 in thechannel 12. The base portion 54 also has a countersunk screw hole 62provided therein, through which a screw 64 is passed to secure the anglebracket 52 to the floor Fr a pease The angle bracket 52 is usedprimarily where post members stand directly from the floor.

FIGURES -14 show an alternative arrangement, mentioned earlier herein,for securing one post member to another, where the former abuts againstone side of the latter. In this case, a horizontal bottom member isdesignated 10k, and the vertical member abutting against one sidethereof is designated 10m. Member 10m has its bottom end cut off square,and inserted into the open end thereof is an adaptor, or connector 66,which fits against and conforms to the top side of member 19k. Theconnector 66 is preferably made as a pressure die casting, and itsrather complex shape is best shown in FIGURES 13 and 14. The over-allconfiguration of the connector 66 is basically that of a rectangular,six-sided polyhedron, the width of which is equal to the insidedimension between two opposite channels 12 of the members 10k, 10m, andthe length of which is equal to the inside dimension between twoopposite ridges 11. Formed in the top of the connector 66 is atransverse notch 68,

and in the bottom thereof are two side-by-side notches 70 and 71. Theends of the connector are formed with centrally located, verticalnotches 72 and 73, each of which defines a pair of laterally spaced,parallel ridges, or blocks 74 and 75.

The lower end portions of the ridges 74, 75 are stepped outwardly at 76on the exposed three sides by an amount equal to the wall thickness ofthe member 10, and the height of this stepped-out portion 76 is equal tothe height of the ridges 11. The width of each of the notches 70, 71 isthe same as the outside width of the ridges 11, and the width of thecenter ridge 78 between the notches 70, 71 is the same as the insidewidth of the channel 12. The width of the upper end portions of theridges 74, 75 is the same as the inside width of the ridges 11, and thewidth of the notches 72, 73 is the same as the width across the outersides of the channel 12.

Thus, when the top portion of the connector 66 has been inserted intothe bottom end of the member 10m, the projecting portions of theconnector present an end configuration which conforms to theconfiguration of the facing side wall of the post member 10k. Thesteppedout portions 76 of the ridges 74, 75 fair smoothly into the outersurfaces of the ridges 11 on the member 10m, and thus form an unbrokencontinuation of the said ridges 11 down to the adjacent ridge on member10k.

The connector 66 fits snugly into the end of the member 10m and into theside of member 10k, and in certain situations, as where panels 15a aresecured at their edges by screws to the surrounding post members 10 (seeFIGURE 2), the connector might be used without attaching screws, sincethe panels 15a hold the structure together. However, in many situationsit is desirable to join the connector 66 solidly to the member 10k, andfor this purpose a screw hole 80 is provided in the bottom of the notch68, which extends down through the center ridge 78. At the time theconnector 66 is attached to the member 10k, a hole 82 is drilled in thebottom of the channel 12, using a drill jig for accurate centering ofthe hole, and a sheet metal screw 84 is inserted down into the hole 80and screwed through the hole 82, as best shown in FIGURE 12. The bottomend of member 10m is then pushed down onto the connector 66 and may besecured thereto by self-tapping screws (not shown) screwed into pilotholes drilled for that purpose through the wall of member 10m and intothe connector.

The manner of using the invention, and its many advantageous featuresare believed to be self-evident from the foregoing description and thedrawings. Structural panels may be quickly and easily erected on the jobwith a minimum of disturbance to persons nearby, using pre cut postmembers 10 and panels 15. The completed panel is extremely strong andrigid, attractive in appearance, and requires no further finishing. Theamount of 6 labor required to build a partition or curtain wall is sosmall that the total cost of the finished installation is considerablyless than any conventional construction of comparable finish. Anotheradvantage of the construction is that the structure can be completelydisassembled and reassembled, since the respective parts are eithersnapped into place, as in the case of the cover strips 24,

or they are joined together by screws, which may be backed out withoutdamaging the members through which the screws pass.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention in considerable detail, it will be understood that variouschanges may be made in the shape and arrangement of the several partswithout departing from the broad scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

We claim:

1. A panel structure comprising, in combination:

a plurality of elongated post members joined together to form arectangular framework;

each of said post members consisting of a generally square, hollow tubehaving a pair of laterally spaced, parallel ridges protruding from eachof the four sides thereof;

said ridges on each side of said post member cooperating with theadjacent ridges on the adjoining side to define a rabbet groove at eachcorner of the post member;

each of said ridges cooperating with an adjacent ridge to define aplurality of panel seats on each of the four sides of said post member;

each of said ridges and each of said panel seats on one of said postmembers registering with the corresponding ridge and panel seat on theadjoining post members, to form continuous ridges and panel seats aroundthe inside of said rectangular framework;

a pair of rectangular panels mounted on said rectangular frameworkparallel to one another and spaced apart by a distance equal to thecombined width of said pair of ridges and the channel definedtherebetween;

and each of said panels having the edges thereof seated in one of saidrabbet grooves on the adjacent side of said rectangular framework, sa-idedges being secured to said post members by means of screws that arescrewed into the sides of the ridges against which said panel bears.

2. A panel structure as defined in claim 1, wherein there is a snap-oncover plate having resilient gripping means inserted into said channelon the side of said post member parallel to said panel, said cover plateoverlying the exposed sides of said post member and the heads of saidscrews, so as to cover the same.

3. A panel structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said cover plateconsists of an elongated, generally flat plate, having rearwardly turnedflanges along both edges thereof, which abut against the outer surfaceof said panels; and

said gripping means consisting of a pair of outwardly diverging flangesprojecting from the back side of said cover plate along the midpointthereof, said diverging flanges being a spring-fit within said channelon said post member.

4. A structural framework for a partition or the like,

comprising:

a plurality of elongated post members joined together perpendicular toone another to form a framework defining at least one rectangularopening;

each of said post members consisting of a one-piece tube of generallysquare cross-section, each of the four sides of said tube having twolongitudinally ex tending, parallel ridges which are spaced apartlaterally to define a channel between them, the adjoining ridges at eachcorner of said tube defining a rabbet groove;

certain of said post members abutting against the sides of other postmembers, said certain post members having their ends notched so as tostraddle said pair of ridges on said other post members;

said certain post members having projecting ridge end portions onopposite sides thereof, which extend down into said rabbet groove onsaid other post members; and

said projecting ridge end portions on said certain post members beingsecured to the underlying ridge on said other post member by means of ascrew passing through said projecting ridge end portions and throughboth side walls of said underlying ridge.

5. A structural framework for a partition or the like,

comprising:

a plurality of elongated post members joined together perpendicular toone another to form a framework defining at least one rectangularopening adapted to receive fiat, rectangular panels, certain of saidpost members abutting against the sides of others of said post members;

each of said post members consisting of a one-piece tube of generallysquare cross-section, each of the four sides of said tube having twolongitudinally extending, parallel ridges which are spaced apartlaterally to define a channel between them, the adjoining ridges at eachcorner of said tube defining a rabbet groove between them;

said certain post members having the ends thereof cut off square; and

a connector joining each of said certain post members to said other postmembers, said connector having one portion thereof adapted to beinserted into one of the square cut ends of said certain post member andshaped to conform to the inside of said certain 35 post member, andanother portion projecting from the end of said certain post member andshaped to conform to the side of said other post member, said otherportion including projections that extend down into said channel andsaid rabbet grooves. v

6. A structural framework as defined in claim 5, wherein said connectorhas the general configuration of a rectangular, six-sided polyhedron,the opposite ends of which are notched to fit into the ridges onopposite sides of said certain post members, and the exposed bottom sideof which has two side-by-side notches provided therein which straddlethe ridges on said other post member, the portions of said connectorprojecting from said ridges on said certain post member being steppedoutwardly, so that their outer surfaces are flush with the outersurfaces of said ridges.

7. A structural framework as defined in claim 6, wherein said connectorhas a screw hole provided therein, extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said other post member through the center ridgebetween said side-by-side notches on the bottom side of said connector,said connector being secured to said other post member by a screw passedthrough said screw hole and screwed into said other post member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 834,968 11/1906Christenson 52--207 2,872,713 2/1959 Haas 52-616 X 3,221,453 12/ 1965Lietaert 52235 X 3,226,903 1/ 1966 Lillethun 52616 FOREIGN PATENTS281,053 2/ 1952 Switzerland.

RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PANEL STRUCTURE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A PLURALITY OFELONGATED POST MEMBERS JOINED TOGETHER TO FORM A RECTANGULAR FRAMEWORK;EACH OF SAID POST MEMBERS CONSISTING OF A GENERALLY SQUARE, HOLLOW TUBEHAVING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED, PARALLEL RIDGES PROTRUDING FROM EACHOF THE FOUR SIDES THEREOF; SAID RIDGES ON EACH SIDE OF SAID POST MEMBERCOOPERATING WITH THE ADJACENT RIDGES ON THE ADJOINING SIDE TO DEFINE ARABBET GROOVE AT EACH CORNER OF THE POST MEMBER; EACH OF SAID RIDGESCOOPERATING WITH AN ADJACENT RIDGE TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF PANEL SEATSON EACH OF THE FOUR SIDES OF SAID POST MEMBER; EACH OF SAID RIDGES ANDEACH OF SAID PANEL SEATS ON ONE OF SAID POST MEMBERS REGISTERING WITHTHE CORRESPONDING RIDGE AND PANEL SEAT ON THE ADJOINING POST